See how GSB compares with other leading MBA programs on the metrics that matter most.
Stanford Graduate School of Business is the most selective MBA program globally, with an acceptance rate below 7%. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, GSB is the top choice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Its small class size fosters deep relationships and personalized education. Compare GSB vs Anderson →
With a class size of 436 students, GSB offers a mid-sized cohort balancing personal attention with network breadth. The program's 6.1% acceptance rate makes it one of the most selective MBA programs in the world.
Graduates report a median starting salary of $197,000, yielding an estimated 5-year ROI of approximately 497% after accounting for two years of tuition at $82,455 per year.
Where recent graduates go after completing the MBA.
Source: school employment data (2024).
See your personal payback period and 10-year earnings differential for GSB.
Where recent graduates go geographically after completing the MBA.
Source: Stanford GSB Employment Report 2024 (2024).
How GSB ranks according to each major business school ranking.
| Source | US News | FT | BBW | QS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #1 | #4 |
| Year | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 |
Note: Not ranked by Financial Times in 2026 due to insufficient data submission. Historical FT rankings (through 2025) shown above.
Track how GSB's ranking has changed over time in each major publication.
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2026 | #1▲ 1 |
| 2025 | #2▲ 1 |
| 2024 | #3— |
| 2023 | #3— |
| 2022 | #3▼ 1 |
| 2021 | #2— |
| 2020 | #2— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #2▲ 1 |
| 2024 | #3▲ 1 |
| 2023 | #4▼ 3 |
| 2022 | #1▲ 2 |
| 2021 | #3▼ 1 |
| 2020 | #2— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #1▲ 5 |
| 2022 | #6— |
| 2020 | #6— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #4▼ 3 |
| 2024 | #1▲ 3 |
| 2023 | #4▼ 2 |
| 2022 | #2▲ 3 |
| 2021 | #5▼ 1 |
| 2020 | #4— |
Rankings data compiled from official publications. Global rankings (FT, QS) include international business schools, so positions may differ from US-only lists.
Rankings updates, salary benchmarks, and admissions insights — free, every week.
No thanks